Game Preview: Undefeated Boston Bruins at Winless New York Rangers
The Boston Bruins are scheduled to play in New York at 7:30 p.m. EST and hope to make it a third win to their start of the shortened season. The New York Rangers, who made it further than the Bruins in last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, look to add their first win of the season. This game is going to be tough to predict, especially with Brad Marchand missing practice Tuesday. It is expected that he is dressed, but the Rangers face Arron Asham (groin injury) being out. First, we’ll start with the Boston Bruins.
Jan 21, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman
Johnny Boychuk(55) congratulates goalie
Tuukka Rask(40) after defeating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in a shootout at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins have started out their season with two close wins. Their season opener, at home, put them up against the New York Rangers. They defeated them 3-1. Two days later, they hosted the Winnipeg Jets to beat them 2-1. They have an essential player who can help them defeat the Rangers again, and that player is their goaltender Tuukka Rask. He has faced 48 shots in his first two games, allowing only two goals. This makes the opposing teams have a hard time putting the puck in the net. He could be the deciding factor of how the Bruins do in the playoffs this season. A total of nine players have one point so far, and Tyler Seguin has the highest plus/minus rating on the team with a +3 rating. The last force that will send opponents running away is the defensive line in Boston. With captain Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg dominating the blue line, it’s going to be hard to get pucks to Tuukka Rask, and if they do get through to him, there’s a good chance they are getting stopped.
Jan 20 2013; New York, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie
Tomas Vokoun(92) deflects the puck during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Pittsburgh won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Rangers have had a bit of a hiccup in their seasons start, but they losing has to end at some point. It’s hard to disagree that Henrik Lundqvist is a bad goalie, but maybe he needs to start on the bench this game, and let Martin Biron start. The only playing time that Biron has gotten is when Lundqvist was pulled during the Penguins game at home, losing 6-3. Biron needs a clean start, 0-0 so he can show everyone how he plays and if he can help the team stay above the competitor. Brad Richards has the most points on the team with three, holding one goal and two assists. His plus/minus rating is tied for the highest on the team with Carl Hagelin. They hold a rating of +1. Two players to watch out for on the Rangers offense is newly acquired Rick Nash and Marian Gaborik. Gaborik is itching to get his first goal of the season, while Rick Nash hopes to net his second and third. Rick Nash must feel the pressure of performing to show his new team he is a good as they thought when they traded for him, and maybe even better.
Prediction
This is a tough one to call because both teams have talent and good goaltending. The problem is, the Rangers have a jumble in the net, and it’s hard to decide who to start. The Bruins have a good chance at winning this game because of their solid defense, including the goalie. If the Rangers do win, just know that they fought a hard battle. I predict that the Bruins win it 4-2.
For the best news updates, follow Too Many Men On The Site on Twitter @TooManyMenOTS and myself @NardoneDylan.